..Additional findings suggest that, although complex allosteric functions can be exhibited by small RNAs, larger RNA molecules will probably be required to form binding pockets that are uniquely selective for individual cation effectors...

..Riboswitches are most common in the genomes of low GC Gram-positive bacteria (for example, Bacillus subtilis contains examples of all known riboswitches), and some riboswitch classes seem to be restricted to this group...

..The genome of 'Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique' HTCC 1062 is the closest match for approximately 20% of marine metagenomic sequence reads. It is also small, contains little non-coding DNA, and has strikingly low GC content...

..Engineered molecular switches can be used to report the presence of specific analytes in complex mixtures, making possible the creation of new types of biosensor devices and genetic control elements...

..Molecular engineers are beginning to harness the power of nucleic acids that form more complex three-dimensional structures, and apply them as tools for exploring biological systems and as therapeutics...

..These findings highlight the importance of metabolite sensing by riboswitches in plants and further reveal the significance of alternative 3' end processing as a mechanism of gene control in eukaryotes...

..Additionally, the association of preQ(1) binding RNAs with most genes encoding proteins classified as COG4708 strongly suggests that these proteins function as transporters for preQ(1) or another queuosine biosynthetic intermediate...

..These findings and the discovery of additional tandem riboswitch architectures reveal how simple RNA elements can be assembled to make sophisticated genetic decisions without involving protein factors...

An mRNA structure that controls gene expression by binding S-adenosylmethionine

..Herein we will summarize the experiments validating riboswitches as drug targets, describe the existing technology for riboswitch drug discovery and discuss the challenges that may face riboswitch drug discoverers...

..If FMN riboswitches are a major target for roseoflavin antimicrobial action, then future efforts to develop compounds that trigger FMN riboswitch function could lead to the identification of new antimicrobial drugs...

..The mutations disrupt genes that drastically modulate energy-generating pathways, suggesting that the intracellular concentration of the ligand sensed by the ydaO motif is altered under these stress conditions...

..These findings demonstrate that ribozyme switches may have functioned as metabolite sensors in primitive organisms, and further suggest that modern cells retain some of these ancient genetic control systems...

Characteristics of the glmS ribozyme suggest only structural roles for divalent metal ions

..These findings add support to the hypotheses that direct sensing of metabolites by messenger RNAs is a fundamental form of genetic control and that riboswitches represent a new class of antimicrobial drug targets...

Riboswitches control fundamental biochemical pathways in Bacillus subtilis and other bacteria